Character enters from stage left and does the sign of the cross. He addresses the audience directly. The character can be anyone really, but it is useful to be interpreted as a frustrated priest who does so much for so many people, yet feels used. Priests are humans too.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters… I am human. I have made mistakes. I’ve made bad choices in my life. I hurt the people I love and love the people I hurt. It can be saidthat I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words. My head has always been a whirlpool of hatred. Externally I appeared innocent and pure. Everyone thought I was a nice person, someone who would be helpful. They all used me. Every single one of them used me! I did everything they asked of me, helped them. The words “Okay, no problem I’ll help” became my secret way of saying “I hate you for using me!” My thoughts were pure, not because they were unclean but because they were truthful. My words were filthy yet so pure on the surface – a simple lie. I feel guilt in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. How much more could I have done though? I worked myself to breaking point then I added the weight of helping them, helping you! My downfall, through my fault, through their fault, through your most grievous fault. Are we the destroyers of our own fates or does everyone around us ruin it for us? You aren’t going to help me therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints. They care! THEY CARE! I placed my trust and love in your arms yet you dropped me! Now, you, my brothers and sisters, return the favours I’ve done and pray for me to the Lord our God!

(Holding flowers in hands, standing in front of the audience, looking very sad and sombre)

(Stammering) I, I, I’m sorry I haven’t come in a while. I’ve always hated graveyards, you knew that. I wanted to come. Trust me I really did, I was just fearful and scared. (Pause) I brought you flowers. Roses, your favourite. I hope you like them. They’re fresh, picked this morning. (Places flowers on the floor) I remember how you loved flowers. Our house was always filled with the sweet scent of flowers. I loved that about our house, it wasn’t just a house – it was home. You made it a home.

There’s none of that now. No more flowers. No more sweet scent. No more home. Just a house. (Pause) I’m doing really well at school. I’ve been working really hard and giving everything I’ve got. I get a strong feeling of pride when I get a good mark and I dedicate everything I do to you – in honour of you.

The family isn’t too strong. We’re all drifting. You were the glue that held us all together. You were the one who always got us all together. But that doesn’t happen anymore. It would be nice to see the family, but maybe they’ll just remind me of you. Maybe it’s better this way.

I’m really missing you. Not a day goes by without me thinking of you, of your happy face. I try to remember all the good. It’s hard though. I can’t forget my last words to you…(stammering over emotional pain). I, I, I regret those words and I truly didn’t mean it. And I’m sorry. That day, as I left for school, I said I hated you. (pause) I really didn’t mean it. It was just, I was just, I don’t know. (Pause) When the school told me that you were in a fatal accident… I couldn’t believe it, I just broke down.

I love you. I want you to know that. I love you, I always have and I always will. You made me the person who I am today.

(Taking a scrappy folded piece of paper out of pocket)

I, I wrote you a short poem… I know how much you always loved reading my poems and stories… So here it is: (read with emotional pain and deep longing)

Dearest mom who was the best

I love you so, more than all the rest.

As you left the world too soon,

I know your soul shines brighter than the moon.

Forever and ever, every day

I hope you still love me and this I pray.

(Head drops down and poem falls out of hand onto the floor, next to the roses)